
10
CAUTION!
If the application involves a high discharge
head, gradually close the discharge throttling
valve before stopping the pump.
Bypass Lines
Self-priming pumps are not air compressors.
During the priming cycle, air from the suction
line must be vented to atmosphere on the
discharge side. If the discharge line is open,
and a check valve has been installed in the
discharge line, the discharge side of the pump
must be opened to atmospheric pressure
through a bypass line installed between the
pump discharge an the check valve. A self-
priming centrifugal pump will not prime if
there is sufficient static liquid head to hold the
discharge check valve closed.
NOTE:
The bypass line should be sized so that it does
not affect pump discharge capacity; however,
the bypass line should be at least 1 inch in
diameter to minimize the chance of plugging.
In LOW discharge head applications (less than
30 feet or 9 meters), it is recommended that
the bypass line be run back to the wet well, and
locate 6 inches below the water level or cut-off
point of the level pump. In some installations,
this bypass line may be terminated with a six-
to-eightfootlengthof1-¼inchIDsmooth-bore
hose; air and liquid vented during the priming
process will then agitate the hose and break up
any solids, grease, or other substances likely to
cause clogging.
CAUTION!
A bypass line that is returned to a wet well
must be secured against being drawn into the
pump suction inlet.
It is also recommended that pipe unions be
installed at each 90º elbow in a bypass line to
ease disassembly and maintenance.
In HIGH discharge head applications (more
than30feet),anexcessiveamountofliquidmay
be bypassed and forced back to the wet well
under the full working pressure of the pump;
this will reduce overall pumping efficiency.
Therefore, it is recommended that a All Prime
Automatic Air Release Valve be installed in the
bypass line.
All Prime Automatic Air Release Valves are
reliable, and require minimum maintenance.
See AUTOMATIC AIR RELEASE VALVE in this
section for installation and theory of operation
of the Automatic Air Release Valve. Contact All
Prime Pumps for selection of an Automatic Air
Release Valve to fit your application.
Iftheinstallationinvolvesafloodedsuctionsuch
as below-ground lift station - A pipe union and
manual shut-off valve may be installed in the
bleed line to allow service of the valve without
shutting down the station, and to eliminate
the possibility of flooding. If a manual shut-off
valve is installed anywhere in the air release
piping, it must be a full-opening ball type valve
to prevent plugging by solids.
DANGER!
If a manual shut-off valve is installed in a
bypass line, it must not be left closed during
operation. A closed manual shut-off valve may
cause a pump which has lost prime to continue
to operate without reaching prime, causing
dangerous overheating and possible explosive
rupture of the pump casing. Personnel could
be severely injured.
Allow an over-heated pump to cool before
servicing. Do not remove plates, covers,
gauges, or fittings from an overheated pump.
Liquid within the pump can reach boiling
temperatures, and vapor pressure within the
pump can cause parts being disengaged to be
ejected with great force. After the pump cools,
drain the liquid from the pump by removing the
casing drain plug. Use caution when removing
the plug to prevent injury to personnel from
hot liquid.